It's difficult to comprehend that former San Francisco 49ers running back, Roger Craig, somehow is not already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He redefined the position for future generations of running backs.

On Thursday, Craig got a little closer to getting to Canton.


The legendary Bay Area athlete was named as one of 20 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's special 2020 centennial class. Only 10 of those senior candidates will be inducted into next year's class.

The other 19 finalists are Cliff Branch, Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bobby Dillon, LaVern Dilweg, Ox Emerson, Randy Gradishar, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Cecil Isbell, Alex Karras, Verne Lewellen, Tommy Nobis, Drew Pearson, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedie, Ed Sprinkle, and Al Wistert.

Five modern-era players, three Contributors, and two coaches will join the 10 seniors in the centennial class.

Craig was the first to record a "thousand-thousand" season when he had 1,050 rushing yards and 1,016 receiving yards in 1985. He also had 2,036 total yards from scrimmage in 1988 with 1,502 of those yards coming on the ground.

In 11 NFL seasons, Craig accumulated 4,911 receiving yards and 17 touchdown receptions to go along with his 8,189 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns on the ground. He added 606 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions to his 841 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns in 18 career playoff appearances.


Craig, a second-round pick by the 49ers in 1983, went on to win three Super Bowls, was selected to four Pro Bowls, and was named a first-team All-Pro in 1988.

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